3:59pm UK, Tuesday July 08, 2003

Rude boy rapper Eminem is swapping his gangster lyrics for a dab at soppy ballads.

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Eminem - kissing goodbye to parental advisories

The no-holds barred star wants to be taken seriously as a singer, say sources.

And so instead of songs like Just Don't Give a F*** and lyrics full of rage, he could be crooning along to the words of easy listening king Andy Williams.

Eminem's success in the film 8 Mile, which won him an Oscar for best original song, has given him the confidence to add more strings to his musical bow.

An insider told the Daily Star: "He wants to be taken seriously as a singer and as an actor."

He is secretly setting about re-working a series of vintage songs, mostly from the 1950s and '60s.

The source revealed: "From Moon River to Puff the Magic Dragon, Eminem is reworking the classics to his style.

"If you thought he was shocking before, wait until this album comes out."

The insider could not confirm whether Eminem would be changing his tracksuits and gold jewellery for a cashmere cardigan and check slippers as part of the new direction.